Main Content

University to celebrate the Fifth Annual Hispanic Latino Achievement Ceremony

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 1, 2009 – The Virginia Tech community will celebrate the Hispanic-Latino achievement ceremony on May 14.

Virginia Tech held its first Hispanic-Latino achievement ceremony in spring 2005. Since the ceremony’s inception, over 100 Hispanic/Latino students have been recognized during this special occasion.

The event celebrates the current accomplishments of the Hispanic/Latino undergraduate and graduate students receiving degrees this spring. It also recognizes any December 2008 graduates as well as those graduating in August 2009. The ceremony will be led by keynote speaker, Virgilio A. Centeno, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering. Virgilio received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 1995, is active within the Hispanic Caucus, is a member of the College of Engineering Diversity Committee, and is a current representative to Faculty Senate from his department.

Participating students will receive the Gesta Hispana medallion at the ceremony which can be worn with their academic regalia. About 2 inches in diameter, the medallion has “VPI” and “SU” around the border, olive branches symbolizing peace, a lantern to represent knowledge, and is inscripted with two letters – G and H, (which are the same in Latin and Spanish) Gesta Hispana, meaning deeds or accomplishments.

The Hispanic-Latino Achievement ceremony is open to everyone and will be held on May 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Recital Salon, Squires Student Center. A dinner reception will immediately follow in the Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown Rooms. More information can be found in the related campus notice or by e-mail to Ray Plaza.

The ceremony is organized by the Lambda Psi Chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi, National Honor Society. The Virginia Tech chapter is among the most recognized in the country, earning the Premio Octavio Paz for three consecutive years as an Honor Chapter or Capítulo de Honor y Mérito.

The Hispanic-Latino Achievement Ceremony is sponsored by the Lambda Psi Chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi, National Spanish Honor Society and is supported by Hispanic Faculty and Staff Caucus, the Latino Association of Student Organizations (LASO); the Office for Equity and Inclusion; Academic Support Services in the provost office; College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences; the Department of Foreign Languages; Multicultural Programs and Services and the Division of Student Affairs; the College of Architecture and Urban Studies; the Graduate School; the Pamplin College of Business; and the College of Engineering.